Terry Alan – Administration/ Guitar Master / Ukulele / Mandolin & Group Guitar Instructor
There are pictures of me playing guitar at four years of age, but I started taking lessons at the age of ten and continued weekly instruction for eight years. I learned to play Rock and Roll on the road as a traveling musician, meticulously duplicating the chords and solos of my mentors; Eric Clapton, Mick Ralphs, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, and countless others. I also developed a solo acoustic performance with music by the Beatles, James Taylor, Jim Croce, and many other songwriters that we all are familiar with. The lessons in playing that the road experience gave me, helped me develop my ‘ear’ for playing and I teach my students how to have that same ability. Every lesson is built around understanding how to improve player techniques and enjoying the process, how to ‘hear’ what their part is in the song and how to duplicate it, how to understand the key that they are in and the way to ‘Jam’ along with it.
I believe in my heart that ANYONE CAN PLAY. We all have different learning styles and I enjoy getting to know my student’s particular abilities and hurdles. I firmly believe in the power of learning music to help students of all ages with improved academics, and self esteem. I have witnessed children with tremendous insecurities, ‘coming out’ of their shells and engaging in life. Middle-aged students have become a favorite of mine as they need the healing and restorative nature of learning music as much as anyone. The elderly now have time on their hands and I commit to teaching them the style of music that they enjoy and I know that music is better than Vitamin E for their mind.
Guitar is my primary instrument, and recently added the ukulele and mandolin to my classroom. As Master Guitar Instructor I’ve created a special music program in which students will have an hour to practice scales and techniques, demonstrate their accomplishments for the week, discuss theory and key as it relates to the song they are learning, and then get the final details to polish their performance. Learn about proper microphone usage, arranging the song set, being entertaining, using Loop stations (for playing tracks over yourself), the music business, experience rare opportunities to accompany me on the stage, as well as promotional marketing assistance with performance opportunities.
Here are a few example of tunes performed by Terry Alan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUH0TAUwa8g Time in a Bottle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zDaU3PVZfA Route 66
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqJXtNpNhAg Journey to Rome (original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFNbqqnE5yM Performing with a student at a recital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF4oiyw5FTY The EastSide Show – Music Fest & Art Market video
It has been noted often that Terry’s approach is “The fun way to learn music.”
This is an important philosophy FSM imparts through each instructor that joins our musical family!